Panel for systemic reforms to avoid Mundhwa mistake

PUNE: The Vikas Kharge committee, which submitted a 4,392-page inquiry report into the controversial Mundhwa land deal, noted that registration of purchase deeds for govt land amounted to illegal transfer of govt property. The panel called for criminal action and suspension of officials, restoration of land to govt and systemic reforms to prevent recurrence of such cases.

It clarified that its inquiry was restricted to civil and revenue-related irregularities such as loss of land revenue and stamp duty, while criminal liability falls under police investigation. During the inquiry, representations were received seeking inclusion of additional individuals in criminal cases, but the panel stated that criminal investigation was beyond its mandate.

The report also said that two police cases have been registered in connection with the transaction against power of attorney holder Sheetal Tejwani, purchaser Digvijay Amarsinh Patil of Amadea Enterprises LLP, joint deputy registrar Ravindra Taru and Pune city tehsildar Suryakant Yewale. The committee recommended strict action against them holding both the buyers and sellers responsible.

Taru and Yewale have been suspended with immediate effect and departmental inquiries have been initiated against both for dismissal from service. Departmental proceedings were initiated against Santosh Hingane, district joint registrar, Pune city.

The report said Hingane had waived the stamp duty. “Giving exemption in stamp duty and filing the documents of the land transaction for adjudicating when govt owns it, is serious,” the report said.

Despite knowing that the land belonged to govt and could not be legally purchased, Digvijay Patil, on behalf of Amadea Enterprises LLP, bought it.

The committee has termed this a serious illegal act and held him responsible. Cases have already been registered in two police stations, and a detailed police investigation is currently underway.

The committee stated that any other individuals found involved during the investigation will also be held responsible and face action.
The report, submitted on Feb 12, is on the revenue department’s official website, Bawankule said. The inquiry committee was set up last year to look into the irregularities in the purchase of govt land in Mundhwa and examine four aspects of the transaction.

The committee observed that officials from the revenue and stamps and registration departments who facilitated the sale, purchase and registration of the illegal documents were responsible for administrative lapses. Allowing registration of govt land transactions reflected grave negligence, it added, fixing responsibility on officials and stakeholders.

The district joint registrar, Pune city, has passed an order directing payment of Rs 21 crore towards short-paid stamp duty at the time of registration. Amadea Enterprises LLP has challenged this order before the IGR, and the appeal is pending.

During hearings related to Amadea Enterprises LLP, financial statements, company resolutions, details of partners and shareholding and a second power of attorney issued by Tejwani were submitted before the committee.

The report noted that Tejwani, acting as attorney-infact for Ashok Gaikwad and others, issued a notarised power of attorney (POA) to Parth Pawar. A POA in connection with govt land is illegal and a criminal matter, the committee observed, adding that the POA is part of the ongoing police investigation.